The Gettysburg National Park Commission [The Commission is also referred to as the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission or the Gettysburg Park Commission], established by the United States Department of War, after they took over the administration of the park from the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association (whose funds had expired) on March 3, 1893, and whose stewardship was later transferred to the National Park Service in 1933 (SOURCE), took a pictorial inventory of many of the existing monuments in the eventual historic district (a majority of them seem to have been Pennsylvania monuments being there are over one hundred of them). These pictures were included in their yearly Commission reports. I have found hundreds of these pictures on Virtual Gettysburg, a comprehensive website which pictorially inventories all the monuments and provides minor narratives as well. All the photos look the same as if they were taken by the same camera and in the same approximate time period. Even the angles are all the same, positioning the monument at a slight right angle (standing to the left), revealing a little of the left side of the monument. The entire park looks so young and immature when the photos were taken. After all, the Battle of Gettysburg was thirty-seven years old at the time and war veterans were only in their fifties. I have never been able to find any photo credits (I have a sneaking suspicion some of the photos may have been snapped by members of the Park Commissions and published in their annual November report to the War Department) but I know they are public domain because their copyrights have all expired. This picture represent the efforts of the Commission well into the Commission period. Most of my pictures I use come from a website called Virtual Gettysburg. It seems however, all the pictures of the New York monuments were either borrowed from or shared with a New York monuments website. That site, The New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs can be found HERE. This picture was found on the Virtual Gettysburg site which can be found HERE
Clearly it is evident, through a survey of historical pictures and other archival information (such as the annual Commission reports), much change has occurred at Gettysburg Battlefield. With the passage of legislation affording historical status to this site as well as placing it under the auspices of the National Park Service, its patrons and caretakers had to groom and prepare the area to make it more authentic as well as educational. Today the battlefield has managed to maintain an authentic 1863 feel, but back then, as evident in the many photos, it was a desolate, empty place of brown and green fields broken only by the occasional farmstead, their outbuildings and fields of crops. With the emergence and dedication of hundreds of monuments during the commemoration period and all the other dedications prior to 1900, and the development of farmland, some change has occurred but for the most part, nothing too dramatic. I do not know when this picture was taken. Probably around 1902 as other monuments without documentation were also taken that year so we'll put these pics at 110 years apart. It's hard to discern any differences as the original pic is cropped and a little washed out. I know some trees have grown during the last century but beyond that, I cannot report any differences.
The 84th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument is located on the south or right side of Pleasanton Avenue if traveling east, due north of the Pennsylvania State Monument, which is located on the east or right side of Hancock Avenue. Both monuments being south of Gettysburg. The front inscription faces west, in the direction of the once attacking enemy, so one would need to face east to read it. The monuments front face runs parallel to the road. This location is a hot-bed of activity and one of the best examples of a hands-on history lesson of the Civil War one could hope to find. All along both sides of the road are these types of tablets, memorials, monuments, sculptures, and all manner of cannons, rifles and guns. Parking is available at enlarged shoulder cutouts on the right side of the road, directly across from the various monuments. Be sure to keep vehicles off the grass or you will be ticketed by park police. I visited this monument on Thursday, July 5, 2012 just after 6:00 P.M. I was at an elevation of 575 feet, ASL. I used a Canon PowerShot 14.1 Megapixel, SX210 IS digital camera for the photos. I faced west southeast to get my matching photo, placing the monument at the slightest of angles, revealing a smidgeon of the left side.
From a previous waymark about this monument:
The 84th Pennsylvania Infantry served as a member of Carr’s Brigade in Humphrey’s Division of the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac, a Fighting 300 Regiment. The infantry was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Milton Opp (1835-1864), a lawyer in civilian life. Opp was ,ortally wounded during the Overland Campaign. He was a second cousin to General Ulysses S. Grant. The 84th was engaged in guarding the trains and supplies at both Westminster and at Taneytown. It was not present at the Battle of Gettysburg, yet provided support (if I am understanding historical accounts correctly).
The Draw the Sword site helped out by the NPS narrative and the SIRIS site offers the following description: Square tapered marker on a low rough-hewn base. It has an ornate, diamond-shaped cap, and relief ornaments include crossed swords and the Pennsylvania State Seal. Monument is a stepped/tapered shaft of pebble finish coursed granite topped with a crown composed of three-dimensional diamonds/lozenges, incised inscriptions, crossed gun bas-relief, and bronze tablet and set on a 6.10 foot square base. Overall height is 16.10 feet. Flanking markers are one foot square.
What does it honor? The service of the 84th Pennsylvania during the Gettysburg Campaign. Not present at the battlefield.
The monument was dedicated on September 11, 1889 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The monument is composed of Grey granite with some bronze elements and has the following dimensions: Overall: approximately 16 feet 10 inches high, the die on top is 4 feet 2 inches in width and the same in depth; the base is 6 feet 11 inches in width and the same in depth. The monument was fabricated by P. F. Eisenbrown & Sons, fabricators of at least four other Pennsylvania monuments I waymarked. There are inscriptions on the lower front and on the rear of the monument, all of which reads:
(Front):84th Penna
Infantry
July 1. The Regiment was on duty guarding the Division wagon trains. Moved with the column on the road from Taneytown to Emmittsburg and on the opening of the battle was ordered with the train to Westminster, Md. where it arrived July 2d. at 7 a.m. and picketed the roads near the wagon parks until the close of the battle.
1st Brig. 2nd Div. 3rd Corps
(Back):Recruited in
the counties of Blair,
Lycoming, Clearfield, Dauphin,
Columbia, Cameron, Westmoreland,
Huntington, Philadelphia, Montour,
and Cumberland.
Mustered in December 23, 1861.
Re-enlisted January 1, 1864.
Consolidated with 57th Penna.
Infantry January 13, 1865 and
composed the four left companies
until muster-out June 29, 1865.
Total enrollment 1310.
Killed and Died of Wounds 6 officers 122 men.
Died of Disease and other causes 1 officers 101 men
Wounded 19 officers 251 men
Captured or Missing 9 officers 241 men
Total 35 officers 715 men
Bath - Mine Run
Hancock - Wilderness
Winchester, March 28, 1862 - Spotsylvania
Front Royal - North Anna
Port Republic - Totopotomoy
Cedar Mountain - Cold Harbor
Thoroughfare Gap - Petersburg
2d Bull Run - Strawberry Plains
Fredericksburg - Deep Bottom
Chancellorsville- Poplar Spring Church
Gettysburg - Boydton Road
Kelly's Ford - Hatcher's Run
The 84th Pennsylvania Monument is a contributing feature to the Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District which is nationally significant under NR Criteria A, B, C & D. Areas of Significance: Military, Politics/Government, Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Archeology-Historic. Period of Significance: 1863-1938. The original National Register Nomination was approved by the Keeper March 19, 1975. An update to this nomination was approved by the Keeper on January 23, 2004. The monument is identified as structure number MN259-B.
From the Nomination Form:
1 of 110 Monuments to Pennsylvania of the GBMA Era (1863 - 1895). Indicates participation in Gettysburg campaign, dutied to Westminster, MD guarding supply trains July 2-6, 1863. Marched from Emmittsburg Rd to Westminster Jul 1. RF&LF mkrs not pertinent to field.
Short Physical Description:
Mn set on 6'10" square base w/2 flanking markers (1' sq x 1'6"H). Stepped, tapered shaft w/pebble finish topped w/a crown composed of 3D diamonds/lozenges, incised inscriptions, crossed gun bas-relief and bronze tablet. All 6'10" H.
Long Physical Description:
Monument that has two flanking markers. Monument is a stepped/tapered shaft of pebble finish coursed granite topped with a crown composed of three-dimensional diamonds/lozenges, incised inscriptions, crossed gun bas-relief, and bronze tablet and set on a 6.10 foot square base. Overall height is 16.10 feet. Flanking markers are one foot square.
My Sources
1.
NRHP Nomination Form
2.
SIRIS
3.
Stone Sentinels
4.
Virtual Gettysburg
5.
Draw the Sword
6.
Historical Marker Database